Energy exchanging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An energy exchanging apparatus is constructed to include an energy source adapted for providing/delivering energy, a shell provided around the energy source and adapted for delivering a fluid to make an energy exchanging action with the energy source, and a spiral member provided inside the shell and spirally extended around the periphery of the energy source and defining a spiral flow path for guiding the fluid spirally over the periphery of the energy source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an energy exchanging apparatus and, more particularly, to a high performance energy exchanging apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004]FIG. 1 shows an energy exchanging apparatus according to the prior art. According to this design, the energy exchanging apparatus comprises a cylindrical energy source 10 a adapted for providing/delivering cold/hot energy, a conduit 20 a provided around the cylindrical energy source 10 a and adapted for delivering a fluid to make energy exchange with the cylindrical energy source 10 a,and a inlet 21 a disposed on one end of the conduit 20 a, the inlet 21 a is used for transporting fluids. This design of energy exchanging apparatus is not satisfactory in function. Because the conduit 20 a has a circular cross-section, the contact between the periphery of the cylindrical energy source 10 a and the periphery of the conduit 20 a is a line contact, the fluid passing through the conduit 20 a absorbs less energy from the cylindrical energy source 10 a. Further, because the conduit 20 a has a circular cross-section, the flow passes through the conduit 20 a rapidly and straightly forwards without causing turbulence. Therefore, the heat exchange performance is less efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention has been accomplished to provide an energy exchanging apparatus, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide an energy exchanging apparatus, which causes a turbulent flow when a fluid passing through the conduit around the energy source, enhancing the action of energy exchange. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the energy exchanging apparatus comprises an energy source adapted for providing/delivering energy (heat energy, electric energy, energy of infrared or ultraviolet light, etc.), a shell provided around the energy source and adapted for delivering a fluid to make an energy exchanging action with the energy source, and a spiral member provided inside the shell and spirally extended around the periphery of the energy source and defining a spiral flow path for guiding the fluid spirally over the periphery of the energy source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a side view in section of an energy exchanging apparatus according to the prior art.

[0007]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an energy exchanging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a side view in section of the energy exchanging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a side view in section of an energy exchanging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a side plain view of an energy exchanging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a side plain view of an energy exchanging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an energy exchanging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of a energy source 10, a shell 20, a spiral member 30, and a seal member 40. According to the present invention, the energy source 10 provides/delivers heat or electric energy, or energy of light. The shell 20 according to this embodiment is a conduit holding the energy source 10 on the inside and, adapted for delivering a fluid over the periphery of the energy source 10. The seal member 40 is fastened to the periphery of the energy source 10 and one end of the conduit 20 to seal the gap. The conduit 20 has an inlet 21 extended from one end thereof for the input of a fluid, and an outlet (not shown) extended from the other end thereof. The spiral member 30 is a spiral spring member mounted within the conduit 20 and spirally extended around the periphery of the energy source 10, defining a spiral flow path 31 around the periphery of the energy source 10.

[0013] When a fluid delivered through the conduit 20, the fluid absorbs energy from the energy source 10, making an energy exchanging action. When the fluid delivered into the conduit 20, it flows spirally along the spiral flow path 31, increasing energy exchanging time.

[0014] The aforesaid energy exchanging apparatus is practical for use in a heat exchanger, electric water heater, electric steam generator, and etc. The energy source 10 can be made of light permeable material, and adapted to emit infrared light or ultraviolet light. When a fluid passing through the conduit 20, the radiation of infrared or ultraviolet light sterilize the fluid. Alternatively, the energy source 10 can be made to discharge high voltage for generating ozone, anions or electrolyte.

[0015]FIG. 4 shows an energy exchanging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention with the exception of the arrangement of fins 22 around the inside wall of the conduit 20 and fins 32 around the periphery of the spiral member 30. The fins 32 of the spiral member 30 are suspended in the spiral flow path 31. The fins 32 disturb the fluid passing through the spiral flow path 31, causing a turbulent flow.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an energy exchanging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a spiral member 30 is formed integral with the inside wall of the conduit 20, having fins 32 suspended in the spiral flow path 31.

[0017]FIG. 6 shows an energy exchanging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the aforesaid third embodiment of the present invention with the exception that the spiral member 30 is formed of at least two sub-spiral member.

[0018] A prototype of energy exchanging apparatus has been constructed with the features of the annexed drawings of FIGS. 2˜6. The energy exchanging apparatus functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

[0019] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An energy exchanging apparatus comprising: an energy source adapted for providing energy; a shell provided around said energy source and adapted for delivering a fluid over the periphery of said energy source to make an energy exchanging action with said energy source; and a spiral member provided between said energy source and said shell, said spiral member defining a spiral flow path adapted for guiding a fluid over the periphery of said energy source.
 2. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy source comprises a plurality of fins respectively protruded into said spiral flow path.
 3. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy source delivers a cooling agent.
 4. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy source is an electric heating tube.
 5. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy source is adapted to transmit infrared light and ultraviolet light and said energy source is made of transparent materials.
 6. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy source is adapted to transmit a high voltage.
 7. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shell has one end terminating in an inlet, and an opposite end terminating in an outlet.
 8. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising sealing member sealed between said shell and said energy source.
 9. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shell comprises a plurality of fins protruded from an inside wall thereof and suspended in said spiral flow path.
 10. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spiral member is extended spirally around the periphery of said energy source.
 11. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spiral member comprises a plurality of fins respectively projecting into said flow path.
 12. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spiral member is formed integral with an inside wall of said shell.
 13. The energy exchanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spiral member is formed of at least two sub-spiral member. 